In the energy sector, water plays a key role in thermal power stations, nuclear power systems and hot and cold urban networks. These infrastructures combine major constraints: continuity of service, the durability of equipment that is often old, and high water consumption.
Energy companies (heating and air conditioning networks using electricity, hydroelectricity, fossil fuels, biomass or other energy sources) must therefore respond to the challenges of water abstraction and quality, and of maintaining installations for their utility water.
Cooling water is of vital importance in the energy sector. The volumes involved mean that strategies must be adopted to limit withdrawals and optimise the quantity and quality of discharges, particularly in the wider context of the energy and ecological transition. Managing water consumption is therefore at the heart of the water issues facing power plants. Not to mention the fact that, in order to make their facilities profitable, power plants must avoid any mineral or biological fouling, using solutions that have a low environmental impact.
Urban hot and cold networks are characterised by their size, age and location in urban areas. Water management must not only guard against any microbial risk in terms of legionella for cold networks, but also ensure the long-term viability of investments by combating corrosion and scaling in order to avoid costly losses.
On these long networks, the priority will therefore be to protect against softening, scale and corrosion inhibitors and disinfectant action, on cold circuits, to protect nearby populations.
Energy industry installations and urban networks need to avoid any clogging that is detrimental to performance, causes excessive energy consumption and risks deterioration associated with corrosion (urban networks).
One way of combating scale is to use formulated products that provide industrial water with active descaling and dispersing agents. By treating their industrial water with formulated products, energy companies are also limiting the harmful effects of corrosion. As a result, they can extend the lifespan of their facilities, reduce their maintenance requirements and control their energy consumption.
Inhibitor treatments with less environmental impact (N, P-free)
Sand or membrane filtration, active carbon, UV treatment, ACS osmosis unit, etc.
This is one of the main challenges of low-temperature urban networks: microbial control of the water is as complex as the networks are long, old and often difficult to access. Historically, hypochlorite-based (bleach) or organic biocide solutions have been preferred for this type of network, mainly because of their residual effect.
However, given the desire to reduce the quantities of chemical biocides used while preserving their health qualities (to combat the risk of legionella, for example), alternatives to chemicals should be considered. This is the case, for example, withsalt electrolysis, which enables a fresh solution with high disinfectant power to be produced in situ and on demand, eliminating the need for chemical biocides and their impact on waste.
Innovative solutions help to limit the need to withdraw water from the natural environment (surface water: rivers, for example), a major advantage in energy production facilities that use considerable volumes. The strategy for achieving this can combine a number of solutions, including upstream filtration and pre-treatment devices, which treat the water taken and maximise its efficiency once on site. The result is a substantial reduction in water consumption, as well as a reduced need to combat the various deposits that degrade equipment, its performance and therefore its costs over time.
Innovation is at the heart of our strategy
Win-win partnerships
As the distributor for the heating and chilled water network in La Défense (92), IDEX is working with BWT to improve the performance and efficiency of technical systems and the use of water from the Seine, which is filtered and pre-treated for the network's needs.
In particular, Enertherm chose BWT ECO-MX for the production of disinfectant solution by salt electrolysis, and BWT Bluwell for real-time monitoring of key indicators relating to the installation.
The results: 50% less water consumption and 40% fewer chemicals!
For many years, our customers have placed their trust in us to optimise the treatment of their industrial water and their industrial, water, energy and environmental performance.
With a unique, integrated chain of skills, we are building genuine, long-term partnerships.
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